During this observation, focus on how class begins. Where is your CT before class begins? What is he or she doing? How and when does your CT establish order and begin class? How is homework from the previous night reviewed/collected/assessed? How does your CT engage students during the opening of the lesson?
Observations:
In my observations i found that class begins in a very gradual manner. Nearly 100% of class arrived on-time and the teacher was conversing with students as they walked in while enjoying a cup of coffee. Once all the students are situated and have had approximately five minutes to relax/converse he begins class by asking the students a question that directly correlates to the the class discussion (to engage). Homework from the previous night is then collected at the beginning of class and was not reviewed.
Reflections:
I found that this laid-back transition from the previous class the current one allows the students to get out their energy in the beginning of the class so they can focus better for the majority of class. However, i feel that this strategy cannot simply be created without gradually weaning your way into it. For instance, if a new student teacher allows students to stroll into class from the hallway and start having a conversation before the student teacher can establish a common-ground (trust/respect) with the students the practice is most likely doomed to failure. If a student teacher wishes to employ this technique to begin class (which i recommend); he/she first needs to establish him/herself in the classroom as a respected individual who can take this "right" away from the students. My recommendation is for student teachers to start off with a very strict and well-defined beginning to class and slowly giving the students more and more walk-in freedoms as they gradually begin to develop a sense of respect for the student teacher.
Class Topic: Free-fall (Physics)
Grade: 2x12th
Observed by: David Kenahan
During this observation, focus on how class begins. Where is your CT before class begins? What is he or she doing? How and when does your CT establish order and begin class? How is homework from the previous night reviewed/collected/assessed? How does your CT engage students during the opening of the lesson?
Observations:
In my observations i found that class begins in a very gradual manner. Nearly 100% of class arrived on-time and the teacher was conversing with students as they walked in while enjoying a cup of coffee. Once all the students are situated and have had approximately five minutes to relax/converse he begins class by asking the students a question that directly correlates to the the class discussion (to engage). Homework from the previous night is then collected at the beginning of class and was not reviewed.Reflections:
I found that this laid-back transition from the previous class the current one allows the students to get out their energy in the beginning of the class so they can focus better for the majority of class. However, i feel that this strategy cannot simply be created without gradually weaning your way into it. For instance, if a new student teacher allows students to stroll into class from the hallway and start having a conversation before the student teacher can establish a common-ground (trust/respect) with the students the practice is most likely doomed to failure. If a student teacher wishes to employ this technique to begin class (which i recommend); he/she first needs to establish him/herself in the classroom as a respected individual who can take this "right" away from the students. My recommendation is for student teachers to start off with a very strict and well-defined beginning to class and slowly giving the students more and more walk-in freedoms as they gradually begin to develop a sense of respect for the student teacher.Class Topic: Free-fall (Physics)
Grade: 2x12th
Observed by: David Kenahan